SOUTH BENGAL STATE TRANSPORT CORPN. vs SWAPAN KUMAR MITRA .

The Supreme Court held that the removal of an employee from service based on a departmental inquiry is valid even after acquittal in a criminal case, as per the principles of service law. The Court emphasized that the inquiry must adhere to the principles of natural justice, including the right to be supplied with relevant documents. The Court upheld the High Court's decision to set aside the removal order due to the non-supply of crucial documents to the employee, thereby violating procedural fairness under Article 14 of the Constitution.